Second swine flu outbreak on cruise ship

A cruise ship with 2,000 passengers aboard is cutting short a voyage and will head to an Australian port for medical help after three crew members were diagnosed with swine flu.

The swine flu on the Australian luxury liner Pacific Dawn is the second outbreak on the vessel.

Eighteen cases of the virus were confirmed among passengers and crew on a cruise that ended in Sydney on Monday, but the ship was allowed to sail again the same day – before the confirmations.

Australian health minister Nicola Roxon also announced that Australia had ordered enough swine flu vaccination for 10 million people – almost half of Australia’s population.

That comes as the number of swine flu cases in the country jumped from 67 yesterday to 103 today.